Police enquiries are under way following reports of football fans making inappropriate sexual comments on a train.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called on Saturday night to a report of sexually inappropriate behaviour on a train between London Paddington and Taunton.

Police spoke to a member of the public on board the train at the time of the incident.

@BTPDevonCorn tweeted: "Reports from train staff of football fans making inappropriate sexual comments Spoke to a member of the public today as she was very upset on the night. Her comments: ‘I didn’t think the police would take it so seriously’ We do. We take it very seriously."

Read More

A spokesperson added: “BTP officers were called at 9.46pm on 02/02 to a report of sexually inappropriate behaviour on board a train between Paddington and Taunton. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

Watch the video below for advice on what to do if you are a victim of sexual abuse

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

If you have been sexually assaulted, whether as an adult or a young person, it is important to remember that it wasn't your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don't be afraid to get help.

The NHS offer advice on what to do if you have been sexually assaulted

Try not to wash or change your clothes immediately after a sexual assault. This may destroy forensic evidence that could be important if you decide to report the assault to the police.

Read More

Where you go for help will depend on what's available in your area and what you want to do. For specialist medical attention and sexual violence support, whether you decide to have a forensic medical examination or not, your first point of call is a sexual assault referral centre (SARC).

The following services will also provide treatment or support, and can refer you to another service if you need more specialist help (such as a SARC):

Read More

If you have not reported the assault to the police, you can still refer yourself to a SARC for assessment and medical treatment to prevent some STIs and pregnancy.

If you refer yourself to a SARC and are considering reporting the assault to the police, the centre can arrange for you to have an informal talk with a specially trained police officer, who can explain what is involved.

There are also specially trained advisers available in some SARCs or voluntary organisations to help people who have been sexually assaulted. These independent sexual violence advisers (ISVA) can help victims get access to the other support services they need. They will also support you through the criminal justice system if you decide to report the assault to the police, including supporting you through the trial, should the case go to court.

Read More

You can tell someone you trust first, such as a friend, relative or teacher, who can help you get the support you need. SARC services and ISVA support are free to all, whether a resident of the UK or not.

Forensic medical examination

If you have been sexually assaulted, you don't have to have a forensic medical examination. However, it can provide useful evidence if the case goes to court.

You can decide at any stage if you would like a forensic medical examination. However, the sooner this takes place, the more chance of collecting evidence. If the assault occurred more than 7 days ago, it is still worth asking for advice from a SARC or the police about a forensic medical examination.

The forensic medical examination usually takes place at a SARC or in a police suite. The examination is carried out by a doctor or nurse specially trained in sexual assault forensic medicine.

The doctor or nurse will ask any relevant health questions – for example, about the assault or any recent sexual activity. They will take samples, such as swabs from anywhere you have been kissed, touched or had anything inserted. They will also take urine and blood samples and occasionally hair, depending on the information you provide about the assault, and also retain some clothing and other items.

Read More

If you haven't decided whether to involve the police, any forensic medical evidence that's collected will be stored at the SARC to allow you time to decide if you do want to report the assault. An ISVA, sometimes called an advocate, will also offer practical and emotional support, whether or not you wish to involve the police.

If you do decide to report it to the police, a police officer specially trained in supporting victims of sexual assault will talk to you and help to make sure you understand what's going on at each stage.

The police will investigate the assault. This will involve you having a forensic medical examination and making a statement about what happened. The police will pass their findings, including the forensic report, to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide whether the case should go to trial.

To find out more about what's involved in an investigation and trial, you can:

Talk to an ISVA, supporting police officer or charity such as Rape Crisis.

Confidentiality

Your details will be kept as confidential as possible. However, if there's a police investigation or criminal prosecution linked to the assault, any material relating to it is "disclosable". This means it may have to be produced in court.

Read More

If there is no investigation or prosecution, information about you won't be shared with other services without your permission, unless there's a concern that you or anyone else is at risk of serious harm.

Supporting a victim of sexual assault

For relatives and friends of someone who has been sexually assaulted, The Havens website has advice on what you can do to help. The advice includes:

Don't judge them, don't blame them. A sexual assault is never the fault of the person who is abused.

Listen to the person, but don't ask for details of the assault. Don't ask them why they didn't stop it. This can make them feel as though you blame them.

Offer practical support, such as going with them to appointments.

Respect their decisions – for example, whether or not they want to report the assault to the police.

Bear in mind they might not want to be touched. Even a hug might upset them, so ask first. If you're in a sexual relationship with them, be aware that sex might be frightening, and don't put pressure on them to have sex.